Turkey’s Ministry of Trade has published an updated Green Deal Action Plan for 2026–2030. Its priorities include developing a national emissions trading system, decarbonizing industry and preparing a carbon adjustment mechanism aligned with EU climate policy.
First introduced in 2021 in response to the European Green Deal, the plan has been revised to reflect changes in EU climate and trade legislation, Turkey’s Climate Law and the creation of a national emissions trading system (ETS). It sets out 11 policy areas, 41 objectives and 142 actions, covering carbon pricing, renewable energy, the circular economy, green finance and international cooperation.
ETS and carbon leakage risks
Carbon pricing is identified as a key tool for cutting emissions in energy-intensive industries while maintaining their competitiveness. Turkey’s Climate Law entered into force on July 9, 2025, providing the legal basis for a national ETS. The system’s regulation took effect on August 27, 2026.
From 2026 to 2028, the government plans to assess the ETS’s impact on industrial competitiveness, production costs and decarbonization. Between 2027 and 2030, it aims to develop a methodology for identifying sectors at high risk of carbon leakage and draw up a list of affected industries. Turkey also plans to align emissions verification requirements under its ETS with those of the EU’s CBAM and expand domestic verification and accreditation capacity.
National carbon adjustment mechanism planned for 2027
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entered its definitive financial phase on January 1, 2026. The EU accounts for about 47% of Turkey’s exports of goods covered by the mechanism, and Turkey is the EU’s second-largest supplier of those products.
Ankara plans to strengthen emissions monitoring, reporting and verification, and continue talks with the EU on CBAM implementation issues, including default emissions values and the treatment of renewable electricity. Turkey will seek recognition in relevant EU CBAM calculations for electricity generated by unlicensed renewable energy facilities and for its national YEK-G renewable energy guarantee system.
An impact assessment and draft legal framework for a national CBAM aligned with the ETS are scheduled for 2027. In 2027–2028, the government also plans to develop a data system modeled on the EU CBAM registry to assess sectoral emissions intensity, carbon-related costs and product groups that could be covered by a national mechanism.
Support for industry and the circular economy
Another set of measures focuses on the green and digital transformation of industry, more efficient use of resources, waste reduction and the uptake of low-carbon technologies. The green and circular economy policy area includes 31 actions under nine objectives.
The government also aims to improve access to green finance and support investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and industrial decarbonization. According to the Ministry of Trade, public agencies, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders will take part in implementing the plan.
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